1What age group had the highest rate of motorcycle accidents?
Under 25 (16-17 years olds the absolute most)
2What were the most common improper actions of motorcycle riders and the percentage?
Running off the road (51%)
Following too closely (19%)
Improper turns (7%)
3In what percentage of collisions involving motorcycles, were dry roads present?
88%
4How old do you have to be to ride a motorcycle?
16
5What equipment is mandatory to ride a motorcycle legally?
A helmet
6What conditions must you follow if you have a class 7 learner's license?
1. No nighttime riding
2. Must have supervisor (fully licensed, no GDL)
3. Zero drug/alcohol concentration
4. Riding privileges suspended at 8+ demerits
7What are the requirements for riding a moped?
1. Any class of license from 1-7
2. At least 14 years old
3. Insurance
4. Approved motorcycle helmet
5. Must ride as far to right as possible
6. No passenger if driver under 16
7. Riding privileges are suspended at 8+ demerits
8What are the requirements for power bicycles?
1. At least 12 years old
2. Approved motorcycle helmet
3. Must ride as far to right as possible
4. No passenger if driver under 16
9What are the requirements for a vehicle to be defined as a motorcycle?
1. Vehicle other than moped that is mounted on 2-3 wheels
2. Powered by an engine or motor
3. Weight is at least 55 kg
10How do you define a moped?
1. Electric motor or engine displacement of not more than 50cc
2. Minimum seat height of 65 cm
3. Top speed of 70 km/h
11How do you define a power bicycle?
1. Electric motor with max of 500 watts
2. Top speed of 32 km/h
12How do you know if a helmet is approved in Alberta?
Label/mark to show that it has passed safety requirements on date of manufacturing
13What are the three types of helmet?
1. Full coverage: recommended as provides best protection (ears, base of skull, lower face, chin, face shield for eyes/face, protects from weather)
2. Three quarter coverage: face is open, provides protection for top, sides, back of head, ears, base of skull
3. One-half coverage: least recommended, provides limited head protection
14Which colours of helmets are more visible to other motorists?
Light-coloured
15What are the requirements for a face shield to be protective?
1. Be motorcycle specific
2. Free of scratches
3. Strong enough to resist penetration
4. Clear peripheral and forward view
5. Fastened securely so stays in place while riding
6. Large enough to fit over glasses or sunglasses
16Hypothermia
Body loses heat faster that it can produce heat causing a dangerously low body temperature
17What can happen if you are hypothermic?
Reflexes and response times are slowed
Ability to concentrate and respond safely to traffic conditions will be reduced
18How to avoid hyperthermia and dehydration
Drink plenty of water before the ride and while on breaks
Plan for frequent breaks out of the sunlight
Ride with a jacket (with venting if possible)
19Recommendations for jackets and pants
1. Cover arms, legs, torso completely
2. Snug enough not to flap in the wind but loose enough to move freely
3. Sturdy synthetic or leather
4. Denim wears through quickly when skidding
5. Nylon does not give enough protection
6. Choose items with reflective strips if possible to make yourself more visible
20Recommendations for boots and footwear
1. Cover ankles
2. Leather or sturdy synthetics
3. Soles that can grip even in wet weather
4. Short enough heels that they don't catch on rough surfaces or the controls
5. Laces tucked in (don't catch on motorcycle)
21Recommendations for gloves
1. Designed for motorcycle driving
2. Thin enough to allow you to control the motorcycle but thick enough to offer protection in a crash
3. Leather or other durable material
4. Cover wrists and overlap sleeves of the jacket
22Recommendations for hearing protection
Noise can cause fatigue and permanent hearing loss
Earplugs should be used when riding especially at higher speeds
23How do you know if a motorcycle is the proper fit?
1. Left foot flat on ground while right foot on brakes.
2. Comfortable with position of foot pegs and hand grips
3. Read and operate all controls without straining/stretching
4. Can push motorcycle and park it on the kickstand
24What should you check for tires?
1. Inflation: air pressure matches recommendations
2. Tread: Adequate tread depth and uneven or worn tread
3. Objects in tread (e.g. rocks)
4. Puncturing objects (e.g. nails)
5. General condition (e.g. cuts, bulges)
25What should you check in terms of wheels and rims?
1. Wire spoke wheels: check for loose, damaged, missing spokes
2. Wheelsims: cracks/damage
3. Bearings: proper lubrication
4. Seals: leaks
26What should you check for in terms of the drive system?
1. Chain: lubrication and tension
2. Belt: wear and proper tension
3. Shaft: oil leaks
27What should you check for in terms of lights and electrical system?
1. Lights: clean, mounted securely, not damaged, that they work, headlights on when motor is running
2. Brake light: clean, mounted securely, not damaged, foot/hand controls activate brake light easily
3. Reflectors: clean, securely mounted, not damaged
4. Turn signals: clean, securely mounted, not damaged, in working order
5. Battery: Secure, clean terminals, secure connections
6. Horn: working
7. Engine cut-off switch: stops the engine
8. Instrument lights: working properly
9. Neutral gear light: lights up when in neutral
10. Hazard lights: working
11. Safety interlock switch on side stand: working
28What should you check for in terms of fluid?
1. Oil: recommended level, yellow not black
2. Coolant: recommended level, no cracks/leaks in hosing
3. Fuel: Check amount
4. Brake fluid: recommended level
5. Differential: recommended level
6. Leaks: check under motorcycle for any leaks
29What should you check in terms of clutch?
1. Cable moves freely and feels tight when squeezing lever
2. Fluid at recommended level (if hydraulic)
30What should you check for in terms of throttle?
Moves freely and returns to closed position without assistance
31What should you check in terms of mirrors?
Clean, properly adjusted, securely fastened
32What should you check in terms of brakes?
Each brake keeps motorcycle stopped when applied in isolation of the other
33What should you check in terms of license plate?
Securely attached, clearly visible and that the light is working if equipped with one
34What should you check in terms of centre stand and sidestand?
Centre stand: no cracks, not broken, no bends, secure when retracted
Sidestand: cracks and bends, secure when retracted
35How to ready your motorcycle for winte
- protect tires
- deal with remaining fuel in tank
- remove battery
- protect from harsh weather
36What should you do after your motorcycle has been sitting for the winter?
- tune-up
- oil change
37How should your right hand be positioned on the motorcycle?
- slight bend down and no higher than flat
38Why is right hand positioning important?
It prevents you from using too much throttle
- gives access to brake and controls
39How should your left hand be positioned on the motorcycle?
Light but firm that gives access to clutch, signal, headlights, and horn
40Why is it important to not point your feet down while riding?
- can get caught between the road and the pegs
- need to be in a position to brake and select gears
41What is the first step that you do when riding a motorcycle?
Release the anti-theft lock if equipped with one
42What are the steps that you should take to prepare for riding?
1. Release anti-theft lock
2. Sit with one leg on each side
3. Move the motorcycle upright and retract the sidestand
4. Adjust mirrors
5. Ensure motorcycle is in neutral
6. Turn fuel switch to "ON"
7. Set engine cut-off to "RUN"
8. Open choke or wait until fuel injection light is off
9. Press the starter button
10. Ensure engine is warmed and running smoothly
11. Slowly close the choke
12. Ensure lights are turned on
43What happens when you squeeze the clutch lever?
The connection to the transmission is disengaged and there is no transfer of engine power to the drive wheel
44What is the friction zone?
The point where the connection to the transmission first occurs when releasing the clutch (at this point you must coordinate releasing the clutch while gently using the throttle)
45Why is it important to be in the right gear?
1. Engine does not lug
2. Engine does not race
46What happens if you are downshifting and the motorcycle is going too fast for the selected gear?
Rear wheel may skid
47How do you upshift?
1. Place left foot under gear selector
2. Roll throttle back to off while squeezing the clutch lever in all the way
3. Moves the lever upwards with left foot to select next gear
4. Release clutch lever and apply throttle
5. Remove fingers from clutch lever and return them to the hand grip
48How do you downshift?
1. Place foot on top of the gear selector lever to prepare
2. Roll throttle back to the off position while squeezing clutch lever all the way in
3. Firmly push the lever all the way down with left foot
4. Carefully release the clutch lever unless slowing or stopping, while gently applying the throttle
5. Return left fingers to the hand grip
49When should you slow down for curves?
Prior to entering the curve
50How do you start uphill?
1. Feet firmly on ground with engine running in neutral and front brake in place
2. Pull clutch lever all the way in, use left foot to shift into first gear while continuing to hold clutch lever in
3. Place left foot firmly on ground again. Apply rear brake with right foot.
4. Release the front brake only and then open the throttle slightly with right hand
5. Slowly release clutch level until friction point. Hold there. Release rear brake while gentle applying more throttle
6. Place left foot on foot peg as motorcycle begins to move forward
7. Return left fingers to hand grip
51What happens if you release the clutch lever too quickly?
Engine may stall
52What is the maximum distance that your motorcycle may be parked from the curb?
Rear wheel within 50 cm
53Which direction should your motorcycle wheel be turned when parking?
Left and locked
54Should you park facing uphill or downhill?
Uphill whenever possible
55Which wheel should make contact with the curb when parking uphill?
Rear wheel (prevents rolling back)
56If you have to park downhill, how should you do it?
1. 45-degree angle
2. First gear
3. Lock steering to left
57What is traction?
The amount of grip and contact your tires have with the road surface
58What do you need to consider when choosing/maintaining tires?
1. Material: softer provides better traction but wear out sooner
2. Tire pressure: under- and over-inflated tires will reduce traction
3. Tread pattern
4. Wear and tread depth
59What happens if your demand for traction exceeds the amount that you need?
Loss of control
60Which three things require the most traction?
1. Braking
2. Turning
3. Curves
61How should you apply the brakes under normal conditions?
Both at the same time
62Where is rider weight transferred when you are braking?
Forward (rear tire could possibly lose contact with the road surface)
63What is threshold braking?
The point just before the wheels lock
64What steps can you take to help avoid a skid when braking?
1. Apply even braking force to both front and rear brakes
2. Downshift smoothly
3. Avoid braking when the wheel is turned
65What is perception time?
The amount of time it takes to recognize a situation and understand the need to stop
About 0.75 seconds
66What is perception distance?
The amount of distance a motorcycle covers during perception time
67What is reaction time?
The length of time to move your foot or hand over the brake once the need to brake is identified
Average time is 0.75 seconds
68What is reaction distance?
The distance travelled during reaction time
69What is braking time?
The amount of time that it takes to stop after the brakes are applied
70What is braking distance?
How far travelled during braking until coming to a stop
71What is stopping distance?
Perception distance + Reaction distance + Braking distance = Stopping distance
72When turning, which direction should you look?
Steer and look in the direction at hat you want to go
73What kind of steering do you use when going around curves?
Push-steering (pushing on one hand grip to cause the motorcycle to lean)
74How do you lean when going around a curve?
Towards the inside of the curve (the greater the speed, the more you must lean)
75If you have to apply brakes during a curve, what should you do?
Bring the motorcycle upright and be careful not to lock either wheel (use threshold braking)
76Why do skids happen?
1. Improver use of clutch, throttle, brakes
2. Improvernsafe handling of motorcycle for road conditions
3. Turning/steering too sharply (esp. with curves/turns)
4. Turning while travelling too quickly
5. Braking too hard (usually rear brake)
6. Accelerating too quickly
7. Combined effects of braking and turning
77What do you do if you are in a skid?
- look and steer in the direction you want to go
- if caused by over-acceleration, ease off of the throttle
78How do you know if the driver can see you in their rear-view mirror?
You should be able to see the driver in their mirror
79What is a space cushion?
The distance between yourself and others
You have space cushions in front of and behind you as well as to both sides
80Why are space cushions important?
1. Time and space to take action to avoid a hazard/collision
2. An escape rout if you cannot stop
3. Reduce the risk of a vehicle colliding with you from behind
4. Seen more easily by other drivers
5. More time to respond to the actions of others
81What is the minimum amount of time you should leave between you and the driver ahead of you?
2-3 seconds
(3-4 if conditions are poor)
82What do you do if a vehicle is following too closely?
Slow down slightly to give them the opportunity to pass
83What three things should you keep in mind in terms of your space cushions to the sides?
1. Avoid riding beside another vehicle or in the blind spots
2. Do not ride beside another motorcycle
3. Avoid riding close to the edge of the lane/curb
84Why is it important to leave larger space cushions when following behind larger vehicles?
1. They have large blind spots
2. Your view of the road will be reduced
3. Drivers of oncoming traffic will be less likely to see you
85Where should you be in your lane when passing parked vehicles?
Left-hand portion to avoid car doors and pedestrians stepping out, cars pulling out
86Where should you ideally be positioned on a four-lane roadway with 2 lanes in each direction?
Right lane, left-hand side of lane
87If you need to ride in the left-hand land of a four-way roadway, which portion of the lane should you ride in?
Right portion of the lane
88Where should you ride if on a two-lane roadway with one lane in each direction?
Left portion of the lane
89Why is it important to ride in the left-hand portion of the lane on a two-lane roadway?
1. Seen more easily by oncoming vehicles
2. Seen more easily in rear view mirrors
3. See oncoming vehicles more easily
4. Seee seen by traffic at road junctions to the left
5. Further away from pedestrians and debris at the curb
6. Avoids the slippery area caused by leaks from cars (in centre of lane)
7. Avoids the centre of the lane that is often higher due to constant traffic weigh ton right and left portions of lane
90What portion of the lane should you be in prior to the crest of a hill?
Right portion (oncoming vehicle may be using your lane to pass)
91Which portion of the lane should you ride in if a large vehicle is coming towards you?
Right portion